Tea’s Untold Story: Exploring the Next Specialty Beverage Boom

Saturday, April 11 @ 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM

Why Hasn’t Tea Had Its Specialty Boom Like Coffee and Craft Beer? Where is the tea industry headed now? Tea is the second most consumed beverage in the world, yet it hasn’t seen the same specialty movement as coffee and craft beer. We will explore and uncover why—diving into history, culture, market dynamics, and consumer behavior. From the rise of third-wave coffee and microbreweries to the challenges of tea’s production and storytelling, the piece unpacks why tea remains a niche rather than a mainstream movement. It also highlights emerging trends like matcha, chai, and wellness blends, offering insight into where the industry is headed.

Speaker: Zidan Shrestha Zidan Shrestha is the Business Development Manager at Nepal Tea Collective, where he handles wholesale sales and operations. After a career in tech, he now focuses on promoting Nepali tea by using technology to create a more transparent trade. His goal is to connect producers directly with consumers, improving traceability and strengthening relationships within the supply chain.